John 17Joh 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

Joh 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Joh 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

Jesus now begins a prayer, one of many he has this night, the most difficult night of his life. In this prayer he talks about his mission.

He endeavored to glorify God, but submitting to the cross, by willingly laying down his life as a ransom for all. Jesus is holding on the precious promises which God gave to him—giving him power over all flesh:

Mat_28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Psa 2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

These were promises held out to Jesus for being faithful unto death. The follower of Christ too as promises for faithfulness.

He informs us through his prayer that eternal life only comes through him—the channel which God opened up for mankind, especially the Christian to get not only eternal life, but the nature of God, divine nature if we are more than overcomers and faithful unto death.

Verse 4 informs us of Jesus’ mission, his job, his work—the “ransom to be testified in due time” 1 Tim. 2:5,6

Joh 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

We see on Jesus’ prayer to his God, the Father that they are neither co-equal nor co-eternal as many denominations teach. We also see they are separate beings. Jesus is praying to his God.

He is asking his God, his Father to give him the glory he had before he came to earth to be the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world.

We find out that God doesn’t do that , but gives him much more.

Php 2:8-11 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And thatevery tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

So, what do we come away with looking at these three verses?

The preceding verse informs us that Jesus came to earth on a mission, which he completed. Now he wants to go back to his Father, but in the same station he had before he came. He doesn’t care about the reward that he was offered before, he would be happy with what he had before. Kind of like when David said, “Psa_84:10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.”

God heard his prayer, but decided to not answer it the way Jesus requested but highly exalted him and gave him a name above every name, and that everyone in heaven and earth (except God of course) would bow and give homage to Jesus, and that would glorify God, Himself.

Now, I have to ask, “Is Jesus God?”

What was his glory before he came to earth?

What is his glory now?

It is important that we have an understanding of these things if we call ourselves Christians (followers of Christ). If we don’t understand who Jesus was, who he is, how can we follow him, truly?

If you have the view that Jesus is God—how do you harmonize these scriptures? And you must harmonize them and be honest about it, or your faith is in vain, because it is in the traditions of men and not God’s Word.

Joh 17:6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

We have a continuation of the same prayer and see that God chose the 12 Apostles, not Jesus. It was Jesus’ job to instruct them in the Word.

Joh 17:7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

Joh 17:8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

Jesus was the Apostle of God—one sent forth.

Heb 3:1-2 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.

Jesus continues to give glory to God. Everything he has or did was it was his mission from God. Jesus did not do his own will. He delighted to do the will of God. Jesus loves his Father so much that his will is to do the Father’s will. They have merged into the same will. Just as we should with them.

If we say we love God and we are followers of Christ, our will should be to keep the commandments, and study to show ourselves approved of God, a workman who needs not be ashamed.

When we look at the prophets, and the Apostles—we see their mission was God. It was not self. Yet we are so Laodicean, we are more self than God.

We need to come to the end of the hymn, where we can sing; “None of self, and all of Thee, None of self and all of Thee!”

Then we will be in the likeness of our dear Lord.

2Co 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Joh 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

Why is Jesus not praying for the world? We know Jesus had to buy the world to get the treasure (the Church—the ones he is praying for).

Consider this quote from our Lord.

Mat 13:13-15 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Let’s put it all together.

Jesus is not praying for the world

Jesus speaks in parables so the world will not understand

He does not want them to be converted

He does not want to heal them.

How do these thoughts harmonize with your conception of the Gospel and its mission?

This is a hard pill for many Christians to swallow, because they do not understand the Plan of God. Christianity teaches that if one does not accept Jesus right now, they will burn for eternity. If that is the case, then why doesn’t Jesus want them to be converted? Does he want them to roast in eternal agony forever? Does he take pleasure in that? If you say, NO! then explain these scriptures!

The Gospel Age, which we are in is not for the world, but for us. The Times of the Gentiles—that is us. We are being called to be of the Bride of Christ. The One hope of our one calling. This is a special invitation, and is not open to the world.

The Christian is promised to be kings and priests in the next age with Jesus, when he reigns over the world. Are you beginning to see where the world fits into God’s plan? God will deal with the world through a mediator, The Christ. (1 Tim. 2:5, 6)

Jesus is not our mediator because we are not alienated from God, we are sons. We have Jesus as our advocate, which is totally different than a mediator which is an impartial go-between.

It is important that we begin to see God’s plan so that we can rightly divide His Word.

As in Adam all dieSo in Christ shall all be made alive.

If we go with the common doctrine of eternal torment—most people will burn forever and not be alive in Christ.

If we understand the Plan of God, we see that most people will be alive in Christ. Jesus is the second Adam, lifegiver of the race. He will be the agelasting Father. This happens in the reign of Christ—the Kingdom we pray for.

Jesus is not the father of the Christian, but the husband, the elder brother. God is our Father.Joh 17:10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

Joh 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

Here Jesus describes the unity he and the Father share. It is kind of like in a marriage when the two become one—all possessions are shared.

Jesus goes on to pray to his God and Father for the welfare of the believers, disciples that they also may share that unity. When we come completely into the mind of Christ—we share that unity with the Father.

This verse does not teach that Jesus and God are one and the same, otherwise all true Christians would be part of the Godhead and that just does not square with scriptures. We can see the separateness of Jesus and his Father throughout the scriptures and even in these verses. One is the giver (the Father) and one the receiver (Jesus), yet they are one—one in purpose, one in direction, one in mission.

Joh 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

We are told in the end times that right would be made to be wrong and wrong would be made to be right. We see that daily in the world where it is considered a hate crime to label anything sin that is sin.

But I have seen this also applied to Judas. Many try to be advocate for “poor” Judas. Some have even gone so far as to say he was more faithful in that he did what God wanted him to do in the betraying of Jesus. They might even use this verse as a proof. He was just fulfilling scripture. That is a gross deception of Satan!

Judas was not commanded to betray Jesus, he was not predestined to betray Judas and he was not called because he would betray Jesus. Judas’ sin is all on him.

We don’t know much about Judas. We do know his father’s name was Simon, he was a leper and a Pharisee. We also know Lazarus’ father was named Simon and they lived in Bethany. The clues given in the anointings of Jesus’ feet and head make a startling case that Judas was brother to Mary, Martha and Lazarus--Childhood friends of Jesus.

Jesus would often stay with them when he was going to Jerusalem. I conjecture that he first met them when he was 12 years old, when he was left for three days in the temple. The Pharisees marveled at him and my conjecture is that Simon took him home for those three days before Mary and Joseph got back.

This would explain why Judas always had the prominent seat next to Jesus, and why he was the treasurer when Matthew had that talent (as a tax collector).

This verse states “that the scripture might be fulfilled”

Look at some different translations of Psalms 41:9

(BBE) Even my dearest friend, in whom I had faith, who took bread with me, is turned against me.

(Brenton) For even the man of my peace, in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, lifted up his heel against me.

(CEV) My most trusted friend has turned against me, though he ate at my table.

(ESV) Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.

(GNB) Even my best friend, the one I trusted most, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.

(ISV) As for my best friend, the one in whom I trusted, the one who ate my bread, even he has insulted me!

Someone had to betray Jesus, but it didn’t have to be Judas. I don’t believe Jesus even knew it would be Judas, until Judas began to turn on the Lord with his heart. Jesus knew the moment Judas began to resent him. That is the beginning the scriptures talk about.

Read Psalm 109 which are Jesus’ thoughts about Judas while he was hanging on the cross.

Joh 17:13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

Jesus’ joy was that he fulfilled his mission. He was about to complete the ransom for Father Adam and redeem the world. He will have completed his buying the field for the hidden treasure (the Church). What joy he had that he could now see the finish line.

Joh 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

“Darkness hates the light.” Especially those that profess to be light (children of God) but are not. Satan hates God. Satan hates Jesus. So anyone who aligns themselves with the enemies of Satan will be a target.

Joh 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

It is interesting that Jesus doesn’t want the disciples taken out of the world. Jesus was going, but he wanted them to stay. Why?

He told them earlier that there is so much for them to do and to understand but until the holy Spirit came, they just could not understand. The church has a work to do and once we are finished with our work and our race, then we can go.

Jesus’ prayer was to keep them from the evil or the Evil One (Satan) so that the mission can go on. Our mission or commission from the beginning was the preach the Word. Once that Word has gone out to the entire world then the end can come. I just heard a report recently that last year 34 million Bibles were sold, and that doesn’t not include those that were already out there being re-distributed.

Joh 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Clarke“Sanctify them - Ἁγιασον, from α, negative, and γη, the earth. This word has two meanings:1. It signifies to consecrate, to separate from earth and common use, and to devote or dedicate to God and his service.2. It signifies to make holy or pure. The prayer of Christ may be understood in both these senses. He prayed -1. That they might be fully consecrated to the work of the ministry, and separated from all worldly concerns.2. That they might be holy, and patterns of all holiness to those to whom they announced the salvation of God.”

God’s Word is Truth. Then why are there so many doctrines out there that claim to be God’s Word that contradict each other?

Jesus warns us of that very thing in the parable of the Wheat and the Tares. “While men slept [when the Apostles fell asleep in death], the enemy [Satan] sowed seeds of tares in the wheat field. So, by the end of the age, there was just as many tares in the field as wheat.

Satan didn’t do a direct assault, but infiltrated. You have heard the old saying, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” Satan and his worldlings joined the church and brought their pagan doctrines and their worldly influence into the church and caused Babylon (confusion). The Churches now are Babylon. Babylon the Great is the Catholic Church, but she is the mother of Harlots---look at all the main stream churches that are pretty much just like the Catholic Church with their false doctrines and festivals and practices.

That is one strategy of Satan, but there are many arrows in his quiver. Look at all the small churches popping up and are they closer to Truth? But so many of them don’t agree either.

God is not dealing with denominations, or large groups. He calls His people a “Little Flock”. He has people in these places, but the institutions or systems themselves are not His. God is dealing with individuals not groups. One is not assured a heavenly resurrection because they belong to this group or that group. One is assured a heavenly resurrection if they are faithful unto death and endure to the end. And they are told to “study to show themselves approved.” One cannot just come to Christ and think they are going to heaven, there are things they are expected to accomplish. We are not saved by works, but that is not an excuse not to do them. Our true faith will desire to study, preach and conform our lives to Christ as we transform ourselves by the renewing of our mind. Each Christian is given a race to run—we must complete that race set before us if we are to be born of the spirit. When we come to Christ we are begotten by the Spirit and it grows within us until we put off this old man.

Joh 17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

ClarkeAs thou hast sent me - so have I also sent them - The apostles had the same commission which Christ had, considered as man - they were endued with the same Spirit, so that they could not err, and their word was accompanied with the same success.

Notice the relationship. God sends Jesus into the world, and Jesus sends the Church into the world. “The head of the Church is Christ and the head of Christ is God.” (1 Cor. 11:3)

Joh 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

ClarkeI sanctify myself - I consecrate and devote myself to death - that I may thereby purchase eternal salvation for them. There seems to be here an allusion to the entering of the high priest into the holy of holies, when, having offered the sacrifice, he sprinkled the blood before the ark of the covenant. So Jesus entered into the holiest of all by his own blood, in order to obtain everlasting redemption for men: see Heb_9:11-13. The word, ἁγιαζω, to consecrate or sanctify, is used in the sense of devoting to death, in Jer_12:3, both in the Hebrew and in the Septuagint: the Hebrew קדש signifies also to sacrifice.

Joh 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

Jesus’ first priority was for the Church throughout the entire Gospel Age. Jesus here prays for us now, “those who believe on me through their word.” That is us, right now, here today. Jesus prayed for us over two thousand years ago.

Our first priority should be to the followers of Christ as well. Our brethren are very important and we need to become more and more in line with that thinking.

Joh 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

Here again Jesus talks about his unity with the Father and wants us to join that unity. We are to be “one in us” that is one with God, one with Jesus. There is a singularity of focus of the Christian---“this one thing I do.”

Php_3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Joh 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

Joh 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Jesus promises the Church (those that become one with him and the Father) that same glory that Jesus was promised. They are the body members of The Christ—head and body. If the head (Jesus) is glorified, the body ( the bride) also will be glorified as well.

In the picture of the body of Christ---we see the unity the oneness. We become one with Jesus as his Bride.

Jesus continues his prayer for his Bride, the faithful Christians. Here we have the assurance that God loves the Christian (the faithful Christian), just as he loved Jesus. That should awe us, and we know Jesus is the apple of God’s eye.

Psa 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, Psa 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

Joh 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

What a promise. Jesus is praying to God about his Bride, the faithful Christian that we might be with him in heaven.

The heavenly promise was never given before this time. The faithful of the past we find in Hebrews 11, don’t get the same reward as the faithful Christian. “They (the OT faithful) without us (the faithful Christian) cannot be made perfect, God promising something better for us.

This is what Jesus is praying for—this something better for us. The whole universe was made for Jesus. Nothing that was made (that is in the physical realm) was not made without Jesus in mind. That is why the stars were aligned when Jesus was born, and when he died. The Mazzaroth shows the entire plan of God and that plan centers around Jesus as the ransom. This was all written in God’s great time piece, the procession of the stars and planets as viewed from earth.

Joh 17:25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

Joh 17:26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

Again Jesus brings in the unity. This unity is very important. If one does not understand the relationship between God and Jesus, then it will be hard to understand how their relationship enters into this unity. Many don’t. This is part of our sanctification. Setting ourselves apart from the world and becoming more unified with Jesus and God.

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